USS Constitution by Flyfisher - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 1:96

[GGibson]

Nice work on the gunports, Jim.  Looking good so far!  I will be watching your stern transom work with great interest.  I am just beginning my Model Shipways 1:76.8 scale Constitution build, but I have the BlueJacket instructions as another reference tool, so am interested in watching your build progress, as well.  In fact, I have looked in depth at @KurtH's transom work on his Constitution build, as he did a great job with his.

 

Carry on, sir!  Keep moving forward! 👍

[Flyfisher]

The kit-supplied deck is made in two pieces. I cut a template from the plans and discovered some surprises. My model is narrower than anticipated, no doubt because I didn’t exactly get the bulwarks thinned to the 5/32nd depth overall. They’re close, and only cost a few planks to get the fit right. 

 

 

I also cut the openings for the berth deck and masts. 

 

The only thing that bugs me is the obvious split down the centerline where the deck halves meet. I tried some obvious solutions, but it was of little benefit. If anyone has any suggestions, I’m all ears. 

 

All this happened about six weeks ago. Since then I have been trying to fabricate the quarter galleries and stern. Oh Boy! Has that been a headache. But, it’s almost finished so I should have a post soon. 

 

Semper Dienceps

Jim

 

[schooner]

Hey Jim,

 

I had to deal with the same issue with the scribed decking on my ALFRED, OLYMPIA and SEGUIN builds. 

 

Assuming you have not already glued the decking down you can reduce or eliminate the seam. What worked best for me was to place the 2 pieces side by side on a piece of white paper (to improve visibility), mark with pencil on each side where the gaps are between them and then carefully sand outside of the marked areas, i.e. where there already is contact. That decking material sands fast so only do a little before rechecking by erasing your previous marks and making new ones. As long as you are careful to ensure your sanded surfaces don't get a bevel in them it shouldn't take too many repetitions to get a tight, invisible seam. If you want you could do the above on only 1 of the sides but you might end up with a seam that is tight but not parallel to the keel.

 

Your gundeck won't be very visible on the finished model due to limited light and sight lines so the seam will pretty much be out of sight, out of mind.

 

Edited yesterday at 11:51 AM by schooner

[g8rfan]

Hey Jim

I would second everything Tim said. However, I'm guessing you already glued these down. In that case, I would suggest very carefully filling the gap with DAP plastic wood. its a pretty good product that takes stain well. Once you fill the gap, you can go back with a scribing tool or toothpick and scrape out the scribed lines that accidentally got filled in (there will be some) Once the DAP material dries, a very light sanding followed by another coat of stain and the gap should all but disappear. Of course, you can just live with it. As Tim said, the gun deck is mostly obscured and what looks like a glaring defect right now, will hardly be visible later.

 

Good luck with those galleries